Marcos orders strict monitoring of Nipah virusPresidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) are monitoring the virus. MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos has ordered relevant agencies to ensure the safety of the public from the Nipah virus, which has triggered concerns in Asia because of its high fatality rate. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Health (DOH) and the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) are monitoring the virus. We have Nipah virus in 2014, and that only means the fruit bat that carries the virus may also be found here,” Solante said. According to WHO, the Nipah virus, which can be deadly, is transmitted through several pathways, including from animals to humans primarily through fruit bats via contaminated food, or directly between humans.

Source: Philippine Star January 29, 2026 16:03 UTC